Record number of applications for the third edition of the International Award 2019 “Innovative Ideas and Technologies in Agribusiness” for developing countries. This year, the contest has been organized by UNIDO ITPO Italy, Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Italy of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, under the patronage of Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and in collaboration with Future Food Institute, the international food tech ecosystem founded in Bologna and operating throughout the world, from the Silicon Valley to Japan.
The call for ideas has received 440 candidates in less than two months, significantly increasing the number of applications from the previous editions and broadening the geographical coverage, registering candidatures from over 100 countries and 5 continents. “We are extremely proud of this important result, that goes beyond our expectations. We have further strengthened our global network and consolidated the position of our office on agritech and food innovation initiatives for developing countries. More than 3 out of 4 projects received come from Africa, Asia and Latin America, confirming the growing role played on agribusiness by developing countries” says Diana Battaggia, Head of UNIDO ITPO Italy, the United Nations office committed with technology transfer and promotion of sustainable investment for benefiting developing countries.
Considering its role in promoting innovation along the entire agri-food value chain and the related social and environmental impact, Future Food Institute has been chosen as the main partner for this edition. “Future Food Institute identifies itself as the ideal partner for international awards focused on innovation and technology” – reported Sara Roversi, founder of the FFI – “We are really glad to have contributed to this record numbers of application to the UNIDO ITPO Italy award, which represents further proof of our successful collaboration with the United Nations Agencies, based on the commitment with the Agenda 2030 to reach the SDGs through innovation and economic diplomacy”.
Applications were received from startups, companies, research centers and universities, innovators and agro-entrepreneurs from all over the world, who proposed innovative and sustainable technologies and ideas to be implemented in the agriculture and agro-industry fields in developing countries.
The candidatures result from the entire agribusiness value chain, from the production to the processing and storage of food, from the logistics to the consumption, from the responsible management of surpluses to the mingling of agriculture, energy and the environment.
The prestigious jury is going to meet in these days to analyze the shortlisted projects. It will include experts belonging to the agricultural, business and institutional sectors, representing, among others, CNR – the Italian National Research Council, Wageningen University & Research, and young talents active in the startup ecosystem.
The winners will belong to different categories, namely women, young, nexus on food and climate change, biodiversity and disruptive innovation.
The award ceremony will take place on Wednesday 15th May in Rome, within the framework of EXCO 2019, the first ever international expo of Development Cooperation to be held in Italy this year. The winners will also be provided of some specific services including the assistance in defining a project’s promotional strategy, the organization of ad hoc promotional activities involving the worldwide UNIDO, ITPOs and FFI network with the aim to guarantee the maximum visibility to the winner proposal, and the opportunity to test the winning ideas and technologies in the 70 hectares field of the Future Farm located in Emilia Romagna.